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Batu Nunggul is a drift dive on the east coast of Nusa Penida, near the harbour village of Sampalan. It is a sloping coral reef that runs from about 3 m down to 40 m, known for its sponges, turtles and sea snakes. The current ranges from moderate to fast, so the site suits certified divers who are comfortable drifting.
Some dive centres call the same site Sampalan, after the village.
What Are the Key Facts About Batu Nunggul?
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | East coast of Nusa Penida, near Sampalan |
| Also called | Sampalan |
| Type of dive | Drift dive along a sloping coral reef |
| Depth | 3 to 40 m |
| Current | Moderate to fast on a typical dive. The full range is none to strong |
| Water temperature | 20 to 29°C, 24°C on average |
| Visibility | Excellent to low |
| Level | Certified divers comfortable with drift diving |
| Marine life | Turtles, sea snakes, trevallies, tuna, small reef life, and an occasional mola mola |
| Extra fee | We list Sampalan among our distant sites, with a remote fee of IDR 150,000 per person |
The depth, temperature, visibility, and full current range are from our site card for Batu Nunggul. The other details are from our dive sites page and price list.
Where Is Batu Nunggul, and How Do You Get There?
Batu Nunggul lies off the east coast of Nusa Penida, close to Sampalan. Divers reach it by boat. Our dive centre, Legend Diving Penida, is based on the north coast at Ped.
Batu Nunggul shares the east coast with Karang Sari, Semaya and Malibu.
How Deep Is Batu Nunggul, and What Does the Reef Look Like?
The reef is a slope. It starts at about 3 m and descends to 40 m.
- The coral. The sloping reef is covered in colourful corals and impressive sponges. Other dive centres on the island single out the large barrel sponges.
- Your depth. You choose your level on the slope. Open Water divers stay above 18 m, and Advanced Open Water divers above 30 m.
- The shallows. The top of the reef lies at about 3 m.
How Strong Is the Current at Batu Nunggul?
Moderate to fast on a typical dive. Our site card gives the full range as none to strong, which means the reef can also be calm on the right tide.
Batu Nunggul is dived as a drift.
- The boat drops the group at one point on the reef.
- The group drifts with the current, close to the slope.
- The dive team sends up a surface marker buoy.
- The boat collects everyone where they surface.
The rules are the ones we give for every drift dive. Do not fight the current. Stay close to the reef, where the water moves more slowly. Stay with your guide and your buddy, and check your air and depth often, because conditions can change during the dive.
What Marine Life Can You See at Batu Nunggul?
- Turtles. Hawksbill and green turtles are common at most sites around the island.
- Sea snakes. We list them for this site in particular.
- Fish in the blue. Trevallies and tuna pass along the slope.
- Small life. The reef is rich in macro life. Other dive centres mention frogfish and nudibranchs among the sponges.
- Mola mola. An occasional visitor. The main mola season in Nusa Penida runs from mid-July to mid-October.
Who Should Dive Batu Nunggul?
| You are | Batu Nunggul is |
|---|---|
| On a try dive | Not suitable. It is a drift dive in current |
| A new Open Water Diver | Possible on a calm day, if your guide judges the current mild |
| A certified diver used to drift dives | A good fit |
| An underwater photographer | Rewarding for sponges and small life, when the current allows you to stop |
If you want to prepare, the PADI Drift Diver specialty takes two dives.
When the current at Batu Nunggul is too strong for a group, the guide chooses a milder site. Karang Sari, on the same coast, is often the calmer option. Both are described with the other east coast dive sites of Nusa Penida.
When Is the Best Time to Dive Batu Nunggul?
The site is dived all year. The season changes the water more than the reef.
- April to October is the dry season, with cooler water. The best chance of a mola falls from mid-July to mid-October.
- November to March is the rainy season, with warmer water. The first rains, in December and January, can change the visibility from day to day.
The state of the tide matters more than the month. Your guide picks the site on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Batu Nunggul the same dive site as Sampalan?
Some dive centres use the two names for the same reef. Sampalan is the village on the shore. We describe Batu Nunggul as near Sampalan, and our price list names Sampalan among the distant sites.
Can beginners dive Batu Nunggul?
Not on a try dive. A newly certified diver can dive it on a calm day with a guide. On a day of fast current it is a site for divers with drift experience.
Can you see mola mola at Batu Nunggul?
Sometimes. We list mola as an occasional encounter here. Crystal Bay remains the main mola site.
Is there an extra fee for diving Batu Nunggul?
Our price list adds a remote fee of IDR 150,000 per person for distant sites, and it names Sampalan as one of them.
How is Batu Nunggul different from Karang Sari?
Both are on the east coast. Batu Nunggul is a slope with moderate to fast current. Karang Sari is a plateau with a drop-off, and its conditions are often milder.
How deep is Batu Nunggul?
The reef runs from about 3 m to 40 m. Your certification sets your limit on the slope: 18 m for Open Water divers and 30 m for Advanced Open Water divers.
Conclusion
Batu Nunggul is a sloping reef of corals and sponges on the east coast of Nusa Penida, dived as a drift in moderate to fast current. Turtles and sea snakes are the regulars, and a mola is an occasional bonus.
It rewards divers who are at ease in moving water. If that is not you yet, start at a milder site and come back.
